Dickens - empty vessels

venus79 | 12:01 Wed 21st Feb 2007 | Books & Authors

6 Answers

Can anybody tell me which Dickens character said children were empty vessels to be filled, and which book it was in? Thanks

Dickens - empty vessels

Horror book set in Ireland?

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Quizmonkey

The teacher Mr Gradgrind at the beginning of Hard Times.

saxy_jag

It is from Hard Times, but no-one actually says it. It forms part of the author's narrative.

The speaker and the schoolmaster, and the third grown person present, all backed a little, and swept with their eyes the inclined plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim.

Also, Mr Gradgrind is not a schoolteacher. He's a wealthy businessman and benefactor to the school.

Quizmonkey

Sorry about that - but to be fair he does do a lot of 'educating' in the book. Long time since my O-levels!

saxy_jag

Lol! Doesn't he just. Doesn't get him anywhere though. Actually your answer is a fairly common misconception - you're not the first to come back with it.

The schoolmaster, by the way, is Mr M'Choakumchild. Hmmm. Sounds like good advice. ;-)

venus79

Question Author

Thank you!

crokepark